New director takes charge at UPMC Hillman with vision for community-based care

The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has appointed a new director who pledges to expand access to cancer care close to home, despite potential threats to medical research funding.

Dr. John Byrd, a survivor of prostate cancer himself, said his goal as director is develop clinical trials in Pennsylvania, parts of Ohio, New York and Maryland, so that patients only need to come to Pittsburgh for higher levels of treatment.

“Cancer affects somebody in virtually every family,” Byrd said. “One wants to be close to home and close to family.”

Prior to being hired as UPMC Hillman’s new director, Byrd was a chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, chief of internal medicine at UC Health and senior advisor to the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center.

Byrd cited the cancer center’s “high power basic science,” large clinical network and high ranks for funding as part of his excitement for joining UPMC Hillman.

The cancer center is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Western Pennsylvania, according to its website. The University of Pittsburgh ranks sixth for federal funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Center across the country are facing uncertainty as the Trump administration continues to push for $783 million in cuts to NIH research funding, as reported by the Associated Press.

Despite UPMC Hillman’s large financial reliance on NIH and NCI funding, Byrd believes the center is “well positioned to continue seeing advances” in cancer care due the philanthropic nature of Pittsburgh, such as investments and donations from companies and individuals.

“My approach as director is going to be … positive. Report [and] inform public officials that represent us, at the same time working to build other sources of investment and philanthropic investment so important to supporting research,” he said.

When asked about any concerns regarding funding cuts, Byrd pointed to a bill passed by the the Senate Committee on Appropriations on July 31, that designated $7.4 billion toward the National Cancer Institute. The bill must still be approved by the full Senate.

“There’s a lot of flux in our world,” Byrd said. “Our government officials will make a decision … that’s for our country.”